Live decoy halter



Sept. 27, 1932. PRATT 1,879,991

mm DECO! QAL'T'ER" File d lay 31. 1922 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATIENT; OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. DEATH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I'O WILLIAM E. PRATT mn- FACTUBJNG COMPANY, OF J'OLIET, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS LIVE DECOY HALTER Application filed May 81,

This invention relates to adjustable loops and means for securing the ends of loops and is particularly adapted for use as a halter for live duck or geese decoys.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a loop halter of simple and inexpensive construction which may readily be secured upon the decoy and which will remain securely in position until removed therefrom. Another object is to provide adjustable means by which the loop may be quickly enlarged or tightened and with a modicum of effort. further object is to provide simple and effective means for securing the ends of the loop member and for fur nishing means for attachment thereto. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanymg drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a halter embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view showing the spring clasp in position upon the loop member;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the spring clasp member;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the front face of the end piece securing the ends of the loop member;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the end piece secured in position upon the loop member; and

Fig.6 is an enlarged, detail, and perspective view of the end piece before being secured upon the loop member.

In the illustration given, A represents a loop member, B a spring clasp secured thereon, C an end piece embracing the ends of the loop member, and D attachment hnks securedto the eye or metal loop with Wl'llCll the end piece is rovided.

The loop mem er A may be of any suitable construction or material, such as rope, cord, bead chain, etc. In the illustration given, it is formed of cord.

The spring catch or clasp B preferably comprises a somewhat U-shaped metal strip 1 having inwardly-turned front flanges 2 which are adapted to overlap when pressed 1929. Serial No. 367,455.

a pointed projection 4 on the inner side of each of the openings serving to hold the two cord portions of the loop member apart.

The catch member B is also provided centrally at its rear side with an opening 5 through which the loop member may pass. Normally the spring catch assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 with the front sides or edges 2 in abutting but not overlapping relation. When compressed and when the loop member is passed through the catch, it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2.

End piece C, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, preferably comprises a split sheath portlon 6, provided with inturned sides 7, which are adapted to be clamped about the ends of loop member A so that their edges abut, and with a depending tail strip 8. If desired, the tail strip 8 may be equipped with teeth 9 which serve to hold the ends of loop member A securely within the end piece. When the tail strip 8 is doubled over into position within the sheath portion 6, it forms at its In assembling the parts, the spring catch member is pressed so that the front faces 2 overlap and the openings 3 are alined. The ends of loop member A are then passed through openings 3 and 5 of the catch member. Then the ends of the loop member are placed within the sheath 6 of end piece C and the tail strip 8 is doubled over until the teeth 9 engage the loop ends. Sides 7 of the sheath are then clamped down upon the tail strip looking it rigidly in position upon the loop ends.

Spring clasp B may be readily moved along the loop member to vary the length of the halter loop by pressing upon the sides of the spring member so as to release the pressure exerted by the faces or edges 2 upon the loop member. It will be. observed that the pointed projections 4 serve not only as gripping sur aces for engaging the cord but also as means for separating the parallel portions of cord so that the clasp may slide readily thereon when the spring pressure is released.

It will also be observed that the cord portions are held in fixed parallel relation by the special end piece construction, in which the tail strip lies over and between the cord ends with its teeth 9 engaging the adjacent cord ends. The clamping of the inturned sides 7 tends further to separate the cords. The looped portion 10 serves to protect the ends of the cords and also provides a sturdy means for attachment to the clasp.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understandin only, and no unnecessary limitations shoul be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

. What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character set forth, a spring member comprising a U-shaped metal strip having its rear wall provided with an elongated opening and having at its front end inwardly turned flanges equipped with elongated openings and with centrally disposed projections extending into said openings, the openings of said. flanges being ali able upon springing the flanges inwardly into overlapping relation.

2. In a device of the character set forth, a spring catch member adapted to receive a loop member and to hold the strands of the loop in parallel relation, said spring catch member being formed of a metal strip bent over upon itself to form a rear wall and havin inwardly turned flanges at its front end, said flanges and said rear wall being provided with elongated openings adapted to receive the strands of said loop member in parallel relation, the openings in the flanges being alignable upon springin the flanges inwardly into overlapping re ation, and projections carried by said flanges and ada ted to extend between the strands of said oop member.

WILLIAM E. PRATT. 

